THE SALAZAR COLLEGES of Science and Institute of Technology Skyblazers (SCSIT) forced a deciding Game 3 in the best-of-three finals series of the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Basketball Association after they routed the Ave Maria Sanctuary and Park, 88-70, in Game 2 last Thursday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
SCSIT, which was defeated in Game 1, 79-83, got a new lease on life and the championship as they dominated the match and took advantage of an Ave Maria squad, which was missing two of their stars in former pro Jojo Tangkay and collegiate standout Enrico Llanto.
The winner-take-all Game 3 will be played tomorrow at the Cebu Coliseum. At stake is the championship trophy and the P200,000 cash prize that comes along with it.
After leading scantily, 18-16, after the first period, the Skyblazers turned the heat up in the ensuing canto as Stephen Padilla and Mark Abadia combined for nine in that stretch to put their team in front, 39-30, at halftime.
The duo then accounted for all but four of SCSIT’s 23-point output in the third frame to help them push their lead to 12, 62-50, heading to the final stanza.
In the Jr. CBA, the Aerophone and the Herea Hair Salon logged in wins with the elimination round nearing its end.
Herea defeated the Shalom Cable Technologies Inc., 61-52, as Joshua Corciles exploded for 20 points. Aerophone, on the other hand, dealt Pier One a crushing 70-50 loss. Correspondent Jonas Panerio